Soop's newest kitchen for the gathering of kindly folk.

Mmmm those apricot scones sound delicious Dogsmms I hope you enjoy making them
The weather here today has been mixed, sunshine one minute and rain the next and still with a cold wind… hoping for an improvement soon?
I’ve just in from a lovely afternoon catch up with my friend, we did the Aqua class at the gym and then straight across to Starbucks to sink into the comfy sofas with coffee and a sandwich and putting the world to rights.
DH dropped DD2 and family at the airport as they’re all going to stay with DD1 in Cambridge for the weekend. It’s sure to be chaos with 4 children so hope all goes well as they’re all very different. Meanwhile DH and I are in for a quiet weekend just the two of us
Quick and easy Charlie Brigham for tea and a large glass of wine
Hope MrYia’s op has gone ok today
Nothing wrong with a lazy day grandmabatty you’re usually on the go so much sometimes it’s good just to chill out and do nothing
Lovely pictures soop thanks for sharing ?

https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202205/medium-161738-p1016820.jpg https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202205/medium-341429-p1016823.jpg

Good Friday afternoon greetings. Have you lovely lot realised that before very much longer, we shall need another new kitchen? Flabbergasted...I cannot believe the speed with which this kitchen has filled up. Wow!

Hellogirl1 I've missed your posts. Have you been hiding away some place?

SweetiePie does indeed resemble the late Rory. If so, we've had several members of his family enjoy the fact that whenever there is a need for a meal, there is a welcome awaiting them. SweetiePie visited us this morning. We've had the pleasure of several visits during the week.

Grandmabatty I'm certain that your mini greenhouse will be put to good use. Do you ever watch Carol Klein's gardening programme? She is wonderfully enthusiastic. She also has a gorgeous cat and impish looking terrier assist her around the garden. We always liked Monty Don's programme, as he had his two dogs close by.

I am hoping that Mr Yia has had his cataract removed. Mr Soop will be pleased when, (mid week) his surgery will also be over and done with.

Dogsmakemesmile Go on, be a devil, bake us lot some of your famous apricot scones. You know it makes sense.

Urms You are so right. Swimming is pleasurable and a skill that everyone would benefit from. As a child, I spent more time in the water than on dry land. I have a gold life saving medal (somewhere) and, as a teen, did a lot of competitive swimming.

dustyangel It seems that you have everything under control. We sometimes fret unduly where visitors are concerned. It's true that, in the absence of their "usual" taxi driver, they will cope perfectly well. Best wishes for your husband's hospital visit and a pleasant family reunion.

Grannmarie Although our family reunion isn't until August, I am planning well ahead. One promise that I've made to myself...we will be travelling with the minimum of clutter etc. Any gifts for the great grandchildren will be posted ahead. The days of several suitcases for a few days away are LONG gone.

It's Friday. I like Friday. It's wine-time at 8:30. Yay! I shall, as usual, raise my glass of cheer to you all. I have every intention of joining you again tomorrow.

The night before last, I took this sunset.

Apologies all Pittcity is correct, I saw release date to Netflix of 11th May and drew the wrong conclusion.
Bright and breezy here, awaiting Tesco delivery, pub later, after which I’ll catch up with your news.

Apricot scones sound very tasty Dogsmakemesmile. I am being mega lazy today. Lots of couch laying. I do have a headache but still. It is horrible here. Cold and grey and very windy. I shall heave myself up and empty the dishwasher. Have a good evening Kitcheners.

Apologies . I have Gardener's (or is plural?) World on the brain as the May edition is on the sofa. I meant Gardeners' Question Time.

Afternoon everyone. Wild windy weather here. Thank you for tips re my forehead. It's fading fast and when I went out yesterday I stood sideways whenever I met someone... Popped out and helped out a work for a few hours this morning so now listening to Gardener's World and enjoying Gransnet. Tea will be a very easy affair though have urge to make apricot scones.Working all weekend so DH has plans to tidy sheds and various cupboards. If I am around I find reasons why we cannot possibly throw things out but if he does it alone I have no qualms.
My best wishes to all of you.

Operation Mincemeat is only on Netflix in the US. The UK release date hasn't been advertised yet. I expect they're giving the cinemas a bit longer to make up lost revenue.

I’m impressed grandmabatty what a good idea for a mini greenhouse ?

Good luck with the quiz nannytopsy sounds good fun!

soop that regal looking cat is surely a relation of the much loved Rory?

Dogsmms A fringe would help but really just a couple of days will make an enormous difference to the mahogany look.

I might not keep up over the next few days as we have family members arriving tomorrow bright and early. That is if they actually get here, DH has a hospital appointment so can’t meet the plane but they are all a bit blasé having visited so many times over the years and they have taken it for granted that their favourite taxi driver will be free….he isn’t!
DD who is not coming this time says leave them to it, they’re adults, they’ll sort it out etc. etc. I prefer things more organised but can’t do anything but make sure that there is food in the house for lunch as we have no idea when DH will get back.

Hello everyone. We had a lovely afternoon at our local NT property which is a mere ten minute drive away. We had a wander round the gardens and then looked inside the house. One of the rooms is magnificent and we love it. Finally, a delicious cream tea in the tea rooms.

Oh, Dogsmakemesmile, the fringe is definitely a good look for now! DD's dog has been to the groomers, and is looking a bit stunned, as it's rather shorter than she hoped. We've all had those days leaving the hairdressers..

‘Evening All’

A lovely couple of hours spent with the Boy Wonder and L’il Miss. Goodness their swimming has come on in the 3 weeks we’ve been in Malaga! L’il Miss got moved up a group tonight. She doesn’t particularly like going for lessons but once she’s in the pool she’s fine and mum knows it’s a good life skill that pays dividends as a young adult for strong swimmers and holiday fun.

Thank you for the reminder about ‘Operation Mincemeat’ on Netflix Jax with the great actor Colin Firth. I’d forgotten about it. About to eat now & then that’s my evening sorted!
??

Oh, best of luck Nannytopsy sounds like fun!

Phew - it’ll taken ages to catch up! Sympathies to all the dieters. I have to start in order to convince the NHS to give me a new knee. When I get back from my holiday …
We are running the village quiz tomorrow evening. It’s going to be a bit of a squeeze, with the number of teams. A little nervous - fingers crossed ?.
Have a good weekend everyone.

Jax Mr. B and I are currently listening to an audiobook about operation mincemeat!

Good evening dear Kitcheners, we have had a quiet day today, pottering in the garden. I have done my physio and my sitting-to-standing is definitely much improved. It’s been a pleasant day but is turning a little chilly and grey now. Such a sad time for your DiL YiaYia, I hope she can take comfort in knowing that he is well looked after and not in pain. Hope your DH’s op goes well and a speedy recovery.

I can’t believe how quickly this kitchen has filled up! We will need another new one soon.

I must get offline now as Mr. B is bringing me a big bowl of very chunky vegetable soup. I’m definitely up for plant based eating

Brook I managed to resurrect part of the greenhouse. The bottom two bits were twisted and beyond repair so I sawed them off and now have a dinky mini mini greenhouse! It'll only hold two plants but that's better than nothing.

Best wishes from me too Yia.
Grannmarie Operation Mincemeat came out on Netflix yesterday if you have it.
No unexpected expenses today, thank goodness, phone for the voluntary work, people calling in, then allocated a driver.
Quick trip to the library, I really can’t settle at bedtime without a book. The rain yesterday has done the garden a lot of good, including weeds, bane of my life, I’ll be out with the hoe tomorrow.
I’ve two pairs of shorts to try on, maybe that thought bought in todays clouds, no wind either, so washed towels are hanging on the drier indoors as they’re still damp.
Off to finish dinner prep, have a lovely evening all x

DH says thank you all,he loves a fuss from the ladies?
Will pass on your thoughts to my DDiL Grandmarie your very kind.

Sweetie pie looks very regal Soop. Amongst my pics IN still have a lovely pic you posted a long time ago now, of the handsome Rory alongside the lovely Bracken.

Thanks, Brook!

Good luck, MrYiayia!

That’s good news that both Mr Soop and Mr Yia will get their cataract operations very soon. Wishing both gentlemen a very speedy recovery
It’s stayed dry here in Inverness today, but boy is it windy. I kept thinking of your poor greenhouse and tomato plants grandmabatty ? My washing was pegged on tight though and dried very quickly but I bet it wasn’t as tidy as yours dogsmms… Hope your forehead recovers soon too!
DH has gone out to watch DGS1 play football, he just stands on the sidelines and cheers but he loves doing it as for years he did it with his own watching his own children so it’s a bit of a family tradition. I’ll be busy making dinner so it’s ready for him when he gets in - salmon and roasted veg tonight with maybe a bit of couscous on the side. I love the M&S curries too soop very tasty and quick and easy
Enjoy your special cuddles grannmarie and hope the teeth are through soon

Good afternoon, Soop and lovely Kitchen people!

I enjoyed a nice park walk with Dsister1 and my nephew, Dsister2 was still working. Then I went to Lidl to stock up on lean protein and lots of fruits and vegetables, planning healthy meals again.
Now I've had a nice wee rest, catching up on all your news, so much happening!
Soop, your son and partner have worked very hard, your pride is well deserved.
? Yoy must be so looking forward to meeting your dear great grandchildren !
Mamaa and Marydoll, I like the look of the Magic Trousers but there are several suppliers on the Big River Company, who would you recommend?
Brook, you have a beautiful garden and view! I hope your health review goes well.
Grandmabatty, I'm beginning nosey, what did you see at the cinema? I quite fancy Operation Mincemeat, I vaguely remember the original film of this true story, The Man Who Never Was. I'm so sorry about your greenhouse. I love your life drawing, amazing!
Shazza, your holiday outfits sound very elegant. Try to disregard any personal comments from your Step Mum, some people are quite thoughtless. An elderly lady at Mass told me that I should try to lose some weight...I didn't know whether to be huffed or chuffed, she was the School Nurse for many years!?
Jaxjacky, I think I'm going to give up on the very low carb approach too, I only ended up bingeing on crusty bread!
Muse, your veranda sounds idyllic, the perfect place to relax after all your hard work.

Urms, welcome home! It's nice to go travelling but there's no place like home.

Dogs, thanks for your kind words of consolation. I laughed out loud at your hair dye story!

YiaYia, I'm remembering your DDiL
and her dear Dad.??

TOYA

Good luck to MrYiaYia for his operation tomorrow. I hope it goes well. I have had a visitor for a few hours in the shape of dgs1. He wanted to come to grandma's house and grandma obliged. He very carefully watered the carrots. He's disappointed that when I said the strawberries were in the garden, he couldn't see any! It's been a nice day.